11.4.3 Proposed Attribute Method: A Flexible Method of Change Control for DOORS®
Jerry Huller · INCOSE International Symposium · 2013
Abstract A flexible, understandable, inexpensive, and native method of change control is needed for the DOORS® requirements management tool. The Proposed Attribute Method (PAM) has been developed as a cost‐effective approach for change control. For those attributes to be change controlled, proposed attributes are created. Proposed change views are created that contain the actual and proposed attributes. DOORS eXtension Language (DXL) scripts are executed to lock down attribute and type definitions, as well as the values of the attributes to be controlled. Responsible Engineers fill in the proposed attribute values and obtain approval for the proposed changes. A DXL script is run to move the proposed values to the actual values. Implementation of the proposed changes usually takes a few minutes or less. The PAM method provides instant visibility into all proposed changes in work. Minimal knowledge of DXL scripting is needed to tailor the scripts for new projects (assuming only a certain format for identifying the change control authority). Pros and cons of PAM are discussed. While this paper focuses on a DOORS implementation, the PAM process should be applicable to other requirements management tools as well.